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Finance Careers in New York, United States

Controller in New York: Salary & Job Market Guide

New York City is the world's financial capital and one of the deepest, most competitive job markets on earth, spanning finance, media, tech, fashion, and healthcare.

Estimated mid-level salary: $99,000 - $133,000

Estimates shown in Canadian dollar equivalents for comparison across cities. Local offers in New York are typically made in USD.

The New York Job Market for Controllers

  • Global headquarters for finance, banking, and asset management
  • Second-largest tech workforce in the US after the Bay Area
  • Media, advertising, and fashion capitals concentrated in Manhattan
  • Salaries among the highest globally, offset by a high cost of living

Top hiring industries in New York: Finance, Tech, Media, Healthcare, Fashion. For a controller, that means tailoring your resume to the sectors doing the most local hiring, and using the exact skill keywords those employers screen for.

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About the Controller Role

Controllers own a company's accounting function: the close, financial statements, controls, and the team that produces them. It is the most common destination for CPAs in industry and the standard stepping stone to CFO.

Skills New York employers look for

  • Financial reporting leadership
  • Internal controls
  • Team management
  • ERP ownership
  • Audit management
  • Cash flow management
  • Process improvement

For the full career path, salary bands by seniority, and complete FAQs, see the main Controller career guide.

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Controller in New York: FAQs

How much does a Controller make in New York?
A mid-level Controller in New York typically earns between $99,000 and $133,000 per year (shown in Canadian dollar equivalents for comparison; local offers are usually made in USD). Senior professionals and leads earn meaningfully more, and pay varies with company size and specialization.
What is the job market like for a Controller in New York?
New York City is the world's financial capital and one of the deepest, most competitive job markets on earth, spanning finance, media, tech, fashion, and healthcare. Key strengths of the local market include: global headquarters for finance, banking, and asset management; second-largest tech workforce in the us after the bay area. The strongest hiring sectors are Finance, Tech, Media.
What is the difference between a controller and a CFO?
The controller runs accounting: accurate books, clean audits, strong controls. The CFO runs finance strategy: capital raising, investor relations, planning, and often IT and legal. Controllers who add FP&A exposure, treasury, and board-level communication skills position themselves for the CFO seat.
How many years of experience does it take to become a controller?
Typically eight to twelve years: several in public accounting or staff roles, then accounting manager and assistant controller stops. Smaller companies promote faster; a startup controller at year six is common, while large public-company controllerships usually require deeper SOX and reporting experience.

Controller Jobs in Other Cities

TorontoVancouverCalgaryMontrealOttawaEdmontonWinnipegHalifaxVictoriaWaterlooSan FranciscoSeattle

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